Although eager to get back to the action on the main Engineering deck, Elizabeth paused, showing a sudden interest in the status displays on a nearby bulkhead. In truth, they showed nothing of any particular interest, unless one cared about the internal temperature and humidity in this section of the Engineering deck, but Elizabeth wanted to make certain that the two young engineers could get the access panel back into place without her assistance.
They managed to get it properly aligned on their second try. Hearing the first of the fasteners snap accurately into place, Elizabeth headed for the ramp that would take her back down to the main level. Before she had gone more than halfway, she could already hear the Chief’s distinctive baritone as he issued orders to the available engineers and technicians. He was not shouting really, and Elizabeth could not recall ever hearing him actually yell at anyone, but his voice seemed pitched to carry exactly as it needed in order to be heard above the surrounding din of equipment and agitated voices.
As she stepped off the ramp onto the main Engineering deck, she realized that she had left the equipment case with Beacon and Yoshi. While hardly catastrophic, it was annoying as she would need to gather a new one before starting on whatever the Chief had in mind for her next. She tried to guess what it might be, for there was certainly no shortage of systems to be repaired or tested at the moment.
Her attention was suddenly drawn by a high-pitched shout coming from somewhere near the main slipstream drive system. She tried to look past the collection of weaving heads and spied a technician waving energetically toward the Chief. Elizabeth found herself surprised to see that the technician was male, given the octave at which she thought she had heard him call out. When she spied the dark, close-cut and curly hair, she allowed herself a small smile as she recognized the crew member: Ensign Alex Wayne.
Rumor had it that Alex stood for “Alexandria”, but no one knew with absolute certainty if that was true. At the moment, Wayne was one the very fortunate few lower-ranking crew members to not have to share quarters, so there was not even a roommate that someone could ask. Purportedly, anyone who asked directly had been given the bemused, but firm, answer: “Alex”. Whatever the truth, Elizabeth found it of interest only because of the light mystery surrounding the matter. With a society of genetic constructs, and the occasional alien, the boundaries of what was considered “normal” were beginning to blur considerably.
Wayne straightened and started waving again.
“Chief!” he shouted. “I think we found something!”
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